socdologer

socdologer

English

Etymology

Unknown.

Noun

socdologer (plural socdologers)

1. (US, colloquial) A decisive argument.
   • 1854, Julia Ward Howe, Passion-flowers, page 128:

     Where-unto shall I liken Theologus, Planning attacks and preparing socdologers ?

   • 1884, Liberty (Not the Daughter But the Mother of Order):

     Mr. J. K. Ingalls, in the introduction to his "Social Wealth," deals a few socdologers to economic sophisms.

   • 1894, American Economist - Volumes 13-14, page 232:

     There is one clause, however, which my friend, Screechorn, says is a "socdologer."

   • 1956, The Emory University Quarterly - Volumes 12-13, page 50:

     That was a socdologer, but Billy was socdologer proof, and after a moment's pause, he responded with an emphasis none can command but those who communicate important and undeniable truths.

2. (US, colloquial, by extension) Someone or something large and powerful.
   • 1870, Horace Elisha Scudder, The Riverside Magazine for Young People, page 148:

     Do not allow your mind to wander from your work, or the extra pull of a socdologer may send you off your pins, if you are standing on an uncertain foundation ; and the fish unhook himself, when by attention he could have been successfully landed.

   • 1895, Sir Herbert Maxwell, Post Meridiana: Afternoon Essays, page 334:

     Let me turn aside to dwell on the pleasant remembrance of the capture of a real socdologer.

   • 1987, Harvard Library Bulletin - Volume 33, page 323:

     This was partly occasioned by the confounded, socdologer of a foreman; partly, by the blunders of the compositors, a choir of journeymen & apprentices, as unlike our choice little group of Charley & WIllard &c &c as Scotch snuff is unlike gold dust.